CD player for SN2

Try CDX2 should match well

CDX2.  

If you want a CD player, your amp really deserves a CDX2. If you're considering an HDX instead, there are probably good deals to be had, as it's getting a bit old now. You might also consider an NDX and a NAS, which gives you more versatility than the HDX.

Before igot my cd5 xs ihad a demo with the 5i2.was a very easy decision.,5xs very fine cd.IF you are not into extremly comlex music big choral and orchestral.you should be fine with the 5xs.

CD5X or 5XS with separate psu is in some ways better than a naked CDX imo

Other players like Rega also a great purchase

What sort of budget do you have? And are you wanting to buy new or pre-loved?

Since there is a mechanical and optical aspects, I rather buy new. But I was offered a  Ayon Audio CD-5 Reference for a decent price, 4 years old. Still need to check how much a cdx2 will cost.

Do you have dealers nearby ?

If so I suggest you listen to CDX or a CD5 maybe a Rega player if possible

All should reveal that your 5i budget player has no place with a Supernait two

Notice a new CDX2.2 is very expensive making a second hand 5x/xs quite atractive (service friendly)

A sep. psu could come in later

Otoh, I once went from cdx2 to a Rega Apollo/R due to downgrade issues, offcourse the Rega player was less but in some way extremely satisfying

Some owners of Rega Isis have previously played on CDS level, worth a thought.

Rega do have a good service back-up, as Naim do, very important

I have zero knowledge to the mentioned Ayon or their ability to service their customers kit

Not sure if Rega CD player is really a good match with a SN2. I heard a few Rega CD players and didn't really engage me.

Naim DAC V1 or NDAC with a CD transport is also very good. 

 Naim HDX is also a good viable option. Alternatively Chord Hugo DAC is very good with Naim amplifiers.

You mentioned the HDX as an option, if you were thinking of using it as a CD player as well as ripper, here's my experience (if not ignore this). I used to have HDX and CD5X, I ripped my CDs to the HDX and then over a few days did a comparison across jazz, folk, rock, chamber music and orchestral music. For me it was a pretty consistent hierarchy, the HDX CD player was OK, but not very interesting, the CD5X was a very big step up with a lot more musical interest, the HDX from WAV rips was another step up, compelling attention and always making me want to play another piece of music when it finished.

I would recommend the cdx2, it works extremely well with the SN2.

I would also suggest you get yourself a good rack, it's not a good idea to have your cd5i sat directly on top of your SN2.

Thank you all for your fine advices!

I have placed the cd next to the SN2.

cdx2 is very expansive here new, so I'll look for second hand. Cdx5 is more reasonable, but I'm not sure it will be much of an upgrade on my cd5i2. Plus, it won't fit estheticly.

what about the Ayon5 reference cd? I can get it for a decent price and I believe it is consider to be very good. The problem is tube base, and I'm not sure if I want to go that route.

I would try and find a pre-loved cdx2, it will be worth the wait.

The Ayon may not be a good match if the reviews mentioning softened edges and "tubey colouration"s are anything to go by. The Rega Isis was also a bit wrong with a Naim amp when I heard the combination, particularly the valve variant. A Naim CD player on the other hand was good into Rega amplification. Don't get the Ayon unless you can hear it with your SN first or you may be selling one orthe other soon after. A CDX2, even an early one is a classic combination with a SN.

Boaz posted:

cdx5 is more reasonable, but I'm not sure it will be much of an upgrade on my cd5i2. Plus, it won't fit estheticly.

 

You bet it will

A CD5X or 5XS is miles better than the budget 5i

Add a Flatcap or other psu and its seriously good 

Thats what I would do if not getting  s/h CDX, any vintage

I'm not sure why you think cd5i is different looking to cd5x ?

I'm not sure why you think cd5i is different looking to cd5x ?

It's not different, that's the problem...

The SN2 is bigger then the cd5i2 - the cdx2 is same [big] size. They look good one against the other

5xs is a MASSIVE upgrade over the 5i2.

A couple of years ago I had the same problem. For my ears cd5i-2 didn't really match with my new SN2.

I went to Rega Apollo cdp + Rega dac. Then I changed the Rega dac to a second hand Naim dac.

I still have Rega Apollo and it's working as a cd transport for a Chord Hugo dac.

Good luck. 

Densen cd players work well with Naim amplification from my listening experience.

The CD5si sounds excellent with my Supernait. Furthermore it plays all of my old cd'rs without skipping or errors. 

Indeed maybe keep the existing CD5si player but upgrade with good interconnect upgrade like Hi-line.

The Hi-Line is a fantastic interconnect.

My CD5si is a fine player on itself but definately not in the same league as my SN2, even less compared to my NDX. Because of the unbalance by the end of the year i’ll be upgrading to a CD5XS. I know that a CD2 will more in line but i don’t want to put a lot of eggs in the cd basket anymore. Had the cd5xs on loan for a couple of weeks already and liked it very much.

A hiline on a CD5i? Really? You can't turn a sandwich into a banquet. 

Fenderbassplayer posted:

My CD5si is a fine player on itself but definately not in the same league as my SN2, even less compared to my NDX. Because of the unbalance by the end of the year i’ll be upgrading to a CD5XS. I know that a CD2 will more in line but i don’t want to put a lot of eggs in the cd basket anymore. Had the cd5xs on loan for a couple of weeks already and liked it very much.

With an NDX why do you even need a CD player? For the price of a CDX2 you could have an XPS. 

Hungryhalibut posted:

A hiline on a CD5i? Really? You can't turn a sandwich into a banquet. 

a CD5i is a sandwich now HH? Really? So what is a 272, a Pizza? 

I've run a Hi-Line from my cable TV decoder straight into my 202/200 and the results are very good.

Maybe Touraj / Vertere got a point about cables being the weakest link, and he does sell very affordable entry level cables.